Two up, two down

sad this has come to an end

The Henry adventure is coming to an end. And what a blast it has been. We picked Bex and Henry up from her friends on Sunday and took them to our friends Peter and Karen (so we could use their pool – and we also loved seeing them too!). Henry loved it and we had to drag him out of the water – he would have stayed there all day. Since then we’ve been trying to get into a routine where Bex, in particular, can relax. But, as we know, when babies are awake they don’t have an off button. And there have been some early mornings. But we have managed. And I think we have allowed Bex some time.

so privileged to be able to do this

We’re taking her to friends tomorrow, disappearing for a walk, picking her up after lunch and then driving to Heathrow to get a guaranteed covid test. We then stay with Mary for two nights … and the pair of them fly on Saturday. At which point life will return to normal, albeit with a huge Henry (and Bex) sized hole in it. I then have two weeks work, after which we have an empty summer to look forward to.

Having the pair of them here has reopened the perennial question of why do we live in such a small house – two up, two down? It’s an interesting debate. All of our friends live in large houses, with plenty of room and big gardens. In fact I think everyone we know lives in a larger house than we do. And we could afford to move. We’d have to realise some capital, but it’s possible. So why not?

Well, and I know I’ve rehearsed this before – we might. It depends on where Bex and Steven end up next summer (they’re pretty certain they’re leaving Seoul). But to be fair to our little place it hasn’t failed us. We had Mary with us for 10 weeks last Spring, and now Bex and Henry have stayed with us for a good slab of time. And the house has managed. Sure, we need to be organised … but it’s not impossible. And it’s not uncomfortable. You’ll know that it’s cheap to live in. And, for me, it has everything you need in a house; it all works and it’s attractive. We’re close to every convenience we need and we live in a cul de sac off a cul de sac. It’s very quiet where we are, albeit a cricket ball’s throw from the M4. And, and this is the big and, it was never anything other than a bolt hole. We had/have every intention to travel for at least six months of the year and need something to lock up and leave. Next Spring, after skiing – and covid restrictions allowing – we’re thinking of going to Central America for 10 weeks, possibly hiring a place on the beach and soaking up the vibes. If you have a big house, who’s going to cut the lawn and do the maintenance? And we know we’re out and about in August this year in Doris, and are hoping to do Orkney and Shetland in September/October.

loving CBeebies

So when the wanderlust has gone, maybe then we can get all fretful about whether or not we have to keep Henry’s pushchair in the boot of the car. But when the whole family do come to stay we have the perfect second home for them: Doris. C and I managed 4.5 years in her (and similar) so I’m pretty certain a couple and a babe can manage. In the end, it about experience, not things. Things clutter up your life. Experiences enrich it.

That’s my view. You’d better ask C what she thinks … I pretty certain our pals think I coerce her into living in a shoe box and travelling second class. For example, we’re also discussing joining Bex, Steven and Henry next year if they decide to return from Korea on the Trans-Siberian railway. It’s something we’ve always discussed doing. It’s not comfortable but, blimey, what an experience. And who’s going to paint the hall/stairs/landing next year if we’re away that long? (And when we do paint it … I can get it done in a day.)

Enough from me. By the way I absolutely respect and in some ways admire those who want to live in a palace and take a seat on the parish council. I do. But it’s not for me. (But it may be for C.)

Stay safe everyone.